Baggers are still trending and almost all their owners spend a small fortune customizing them. So, Victory Motorcycles is launching the 2015 Magnum, a beautifully customized production Bagger. In doing so, Victory is the first manufacturer in this motorcycle segment meeting the needs with a ready to ride Bagger that consumers are trying to build up themselves for a much higher total cost and at the same time very often losing their factory warranty.

The Bagger rider profile is somewhat different from the Tourer’s one (a Tourer is equipped with a tour-pak for long distance/adventure riding) The Bagger type wants his Bagger with very high catching styling, a tall but reasonable size front wheel to not affect handling, a “loud” paint job, a top of the line big audio system for personal enjoyment and also to impress, superb performance on the road to always feel like the leader of the pack. A profile that Rod Krois, Victory Motorcycles General Manager, confirmed to me as the direct inspiration for the conception of this new Victory Magnum offering.

The bodywork lines, paint schemes, wheel design and accessories list offered as standard equipment out of the showroom is quite impressive for a price starting at only $21,999. For sure it will satisfy most custom bagger fans and may quickly become, like the Bobber styled 2015 Gunner in the cruiser category, the fastest selling Victory Bagger model.

21 x 3.5” Front Wheel for visual impact, tall enough for good looks while preserving handling quality. The tallest and best designed (Black Roulette) production Bagger wheel on the road.

Slammed Rear End. A low profile seat and 1” slammed back-end for a sleek profile out of the factory without scarifying suspension provided by new shocks keeping the original travel distance. Victory didn’t forget a pair of close-out covers to hide the ugly gaps between bags and rear fender found on other oem Baggers.

25.7” Seat Height. The lowest in its class. A lower seat height provides the rider with greater control of the bike and enhances a rider’s confidence at low speeds and when stopped. Riders with all inseam lengths will be able to plant both feet firmly on the ground.

Highest Performance, Loudest Audio Ever. Prepare your songs riding list Integrated in the custom-painted fairing are 6 speakers that serve up 100 watts of premium sound. Plus, you can crank it further with a set of saddlebag audio accessories (sold separately) that complement the fairing speakers.

Color-Matched Painted Features. No bike deserves to be called custom without, from front end to rear, color-matched painted surfaces to smooth out all the bodywork and hardware Dash, shroud, rear fender closeouts, saddlebag hinges, etc are all painted, a feature not offered so extensively on oem baggers as it is on the Magnum.

Cruise Control And Standard ABS Brakes. Cruise control enhances your comfort, and Victory Anti-Lock Brakes give you greater confidence and peace of mind. With Victory ABS, when traction is compromised, the ABS immediately and automatically provides reliable braking to help you stop quickly and under control. Out on the open road,the automotive-quality cruise control lets you relax and enjoy the ride. Retro fit options for the Victory Cross Country.

As it should always be with a brand new model, my first ride on the Magnum started by a long visual scan of each square inch of the bike. Although the notion of what makes a motorcycle go from the status of motorcycle to the one of custom bike may differ from one individual to the other, there is no doubt, and the pictures and narrative above should have already convinced you, that the Magnum is a true custom Bagger. A status above the one of factory custom that some manufacturers have claimed for some poorly enhanced models sold at premium prices.

And if you need to be more convinced of Victory’s tour de force in producing such a beautiful bike built on one of the strongest and most bullet proof engine and driveline platforms in the industry with a plethora of beautiful and reliable components for a price starting at $21,999, just take a piece of paper. Add all the custom features coming standard with the Magnum, from custom wheels to loud paint job to high end audio system (I know, you will forget to add some parts and the labor involved…) and make the total. Or visit you preferred custom shop to get a written quote…Your conclusion will be that the Magnum is the first and most affordable truly customized oem bagger ever offered straight out of the showroom. And even more important, offering the exact features most have on their wish list when building or customizing their own Bagger.

Having already ridden several Victory models equipped with the Freedom 106” (1731 cc) engine and 6-speed overdrive transmission, I already knew that the Magnum would behave as well when showing off cruising along the 4-mile Las Vegas Strip or flying along the Nevada Valley desert highways. My Magnum was equipped with the Tri-Oval Exhaust Package delivering a throaty rich exhaust note that most will enjoy listening too, even your neighbors… Optional nicely styled mini apes were fitted on my test bike and put me, behind the boomerang windshield, in a riding position that most riders my size (6’ tall) will enjoy in all types of riding, either relaxed or aggressive, I am not a great fan of loud music while riding, so I totally forgot about starting the big audio system that Victory is so proud of, and a very important feature demanded by most Bagger riders. But I played it while stopped on a parking lot, and as far as I am an audiophile, it sounds much better than most systems than people enjoy in their living room. And yes, it’s extremely powerful.

Returning to downtown at after-work rush hour via the Las Vegas Freeway (I15) was a braking exercise among Las Vegans trying to go around lost visitors in their rental cars. An opportunity for me to appreciate the extra security and confidence provided by the Magnum’s ABS system. Then, I made a pit stop at the Golden Nugget Casino where parked front of the lobby among the most stretched limos and most awesome custom SUV’s and sport cars you can dream of, the Magnum had no problem making the show for tourists visiting the entertainment capital of the world… When a group approached me asking if it was my new custom, I got convinced that the Magnum, with its eye catching style, performance and high end audio equipment and proposed at a very aggressive price of $21,999, could well become the fastest selling Victory Bagger model ever. (all photography of Cyril Huze copyright Brian J. Nelson)

I don’t know a lot of custom builders building a bike just like this but walk around any large bike night or poker run gathering and count the Street Glides with body matched painted inner fairings, trim pieces, large front wheels, and loud stereos. Vic did good with this.

I Like it, and I think it’s what the market is looking for. Victory is not trying to build custom bikes like someone here thinks. They understand what today’s customer is looking for and probably have a real contender with thus bike.

There is always the expert/legend in his own mind that really has no idea, but likes to think he does….

ok, this is what I mean. not many people I know buy new bikes for one, but an example that comes to mind… a friend of mine that does build bikes and does custom work for other people purchased his first new bike….a police issue electra. He had an additional chunk of money budgeted for extra things. other than having the frontend powdered black, he spent his entire budget on the motor. this bike f’ing screams and I would take it over any of these big wheeled multi-colored clown motorcycles any day, and it’s not just me, but 99% of the people I know and/or ride with pretty much feel the same way.

Smithncustom. Because your friends are representative of the market? No manufacturer cares about a handful of your friends. They care about the market. And it’s true that this Magnum is representative of what most want their custom bagger to look like. by the way, how your friend who is a custom builder can buy a brand new Police bike. It’s impossible. You’re a lot of BS.

Wow !!! People are finally digging the Victory Cross Country !!!!
There is a LOT to like about this bike (Cyril should know)
And he’s absolutely right, if you tried to customize a regular XC to match this bike
You would end up spending a heck of a lot more $$$ that the MSRP.
Of course you might not find one at MSRP ????
But yeah this is one heck of a bike for the price.
I would be looking at it very hard except for my heart is set on the XC Tour for long distance riding.
Plus i might want to wait to see if the rumors are true
& Vic will be coming out with it’s own liquid cooled engine in the next model year

I was fortunate enough to attend the dealer show unveiling and I must say the pictures don’t do the bike justice. The large front wheel looks fantastic in person. Its what the cross country needed I think.

Personally I find the sharpness of the fairing and the detail around the back guard not to my taste.
But then I want to buy a Street Glide.
Nice bike though and it might wake HD up to lowering it’s prices…is any body listening ? just nod if you can hear me……..